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Marketing · head to head

Google Optimize vs HARO

Google Optimize logo

Google Optimize

Marketing

A/B testing for Google Analytics

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HARO logo

HARO

News

Help A Reporter Out - connecting journalists with expert sources

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Optimize google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023; HARO hARO was rebranded and phased out by Cision in favor of Connectively (www.connectively.us) starting early 2024, per the vendor's own helpareporter.com notice (Internet Archive capture, 2023)
  • They diverge on capability: Google Optimize covers A/B testing, HARO covers Daily journalist queries.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Optimize and HARO actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Optimize and HARO differ
AttributeGoogle OptimizeHARO
PlatformsWebWeb, Email
CategoryMarketingNews
Founded19982008

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Google Optimize

  • A/B testing
  • Google Analytics integration
  • Visual editor
  • Real-time analytics
  • Google Analytics
  • Google Tag Manager
  • Google's security
  • Cloud deployment

Only in HARO

  • Daily journalist queries
  • Source submissions
  • Query archives
  • Response tracking
  • Source directory
  • Email matching
  • Profile management
  • Email

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Optimize

  • A/B and multivariate testing of web pages tied to Google Analytics goalsnot HARO
  • Personalising page content for defined audience segmentsnot HARO
  • Redirect tests between alternative landing page URLsnot HARO

HARO

  • Finding expert sourcesnot Google Optimize
  • Press coveragenot Google Optimize
  • Expert positioningnot Google Optimize
  • Media relationsnot Google Optimize

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Google Optimize

  • Google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023
  • Any experiments and personalizations still running on that date were ended by Google
  • Google directs former users to third-party A/B testing tools, naming AB Tasty, Optimizely and VWO, rather than a replacement Google product

HARO

  • HARO was rebranded and phased out by Cision in favor of Connectively (www.connectively.us) starting early 2024, per the vendor's own helpareporter.com notice (Internet Archive capture, 2023)

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Optimize

Free
  • FreeFree
    • A/B testing
    • Google Analytics integration
    • Visual editor

HARO

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Daily email alerts
    • Query submissions
    • Source directory
  • Pro$19.99/month
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support
    • Analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Optimize if

  • You need a/b testing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want google analytics integration.
Google Optimize review

Choose HARO if

  • You need daily journalist queries.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Email.
  • You also want source submissions.
HARO review

Questions people ask

Is Google Optimize or HARO better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Optimize starts at Free and HARO at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Optimize or HARO?
Google Optimize starts at Free and HARO at Free.
Does Google Optimize or HARO run on more platforms?
Google Optimize runs on Web. HARO runs on Web, Email.
Can I use Google Optimize for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Google Optimize best used for?
Google Optimize is most often used for a/b and multivariate testing of web pages tied to google analytics goals, personalising page content for defined audience segments, redirect tests between alternative landing page urls. Of those, a/b and multivariate testing of web pages tied to google analytics goals and personalising page content for defined audience segments are not what HARO is typically brought in for.
What can Google Optimize do that HARO cannot?
Google Optimize covers A/B testing, Google Analytics integration, Visual editor, Real-time analytics. HARO covers Daily journalist queries, Source submissions, Query archives, Response tracking. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Google Optimize: Is Google Optimize still available?

No. Google Optimize and Optimize 360 were discontinued as of September 30, 2023. Google recommends third-party A/B testing integrations such as AB Tasty, Optimizely, and VWO as replacements.

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